Pages

Friday, June 16, 2017

"Touch with your pierced hand each common day."

Hymn: "Here at Thy Table, Lord" - May P. HoytTune: BREAD OF LIFE

Today
is probably going to be for most of us "just one of those days." For
some, it will be especially good, perhaps exciting - a new love, a
career change, the birth of a baby. For others, it may turn out to be a
difficult day filled with pain and sorrow, maybe even tragedy. But my
guess is that for most of us it will be a common day.

In our
manic existence, we sometimes long for an un-frenzied day - one not
marked by extreme highs or extreme lows. When asked, "How was your
day?", we would be happy to respond, "Level."

Tucked in this tiny
communion hymn (usually with only two stanzas printed), we find "Touch
with your pierced hand each common day." Unless yours is a faith
tradition that observes the Eucharist frequently... perhaps weekly...
you don't have many opportunities during the church year to sing this
text; but the next time you do, let this phrase resonate deep within you
and be your earnest prayer.

Many of us (especially with Baptist
backgrounds) know B. B. McKinney's standard gospel song whose refrain
repeats the admonition to "place your hand in the nail-scarred hand."
Here, however, we are pleading for the outstretched arm of him whose
hands were riven, imploring his constant touch upon our lives at all
times... even the common days.

It is sometimes easier to be
acutely aware of God's touch when we are praising him for his blessings
on our best days or begging for his help in those not-so-great times.
Let us not overlook that guiding, upholding hand on those other days...
like today.

Lord Jesus, in our common, ordinary, everyday lives,
keep your nail-printed hand on us. As we glance at your strong fingers
as they touch the deepest places of who we are, may those attendant
wounds remind us that we are redeemed by the event that caused those
marks. May those hands lift us when we are down, subdue us when
over-stimulated, and lead us ever in the path that brings us closer to
yourself... because we know from another hymn-line that the way of the
cross leads home. Amen.

Hymnlines - Hemlines: Get it?! :)

About Me

A native of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, went to high school with Dolly Parton... and am still friends with her sister Stella who was "most talented" with me in our graduating class of 1967! Was a Southern Baptist for most of my life,am currently affiliated with Cooperative Baptists. Have worked in Baptist and Presbyterian churches - basically consider myself a Baptiterian!

Love words (texts). Am a published hymn-writer, anthem-text writer and composer. Into live theater, museums and antique stores. Enjoy good movies and PBS dramas.

Married to Carlita - Two bonus sons: Dustin,and Clint and his wife Sherry with our two grandsons Kyle and Carson who just happen to live close by!